4 ms·

Interesting. While skimming over the Wiki for micromorts it's reported [1] that Ecstasy has a rating of 0.5 micromorts per tablet. Which I kind of already suspe

Interesting. While skimming over the Wiki for micromorts it's reported [1] that Ecstasy has a rating of 0.5 micromorts per tablet. Which I kind of already suspected, given how widely it's consumed versus the rarely occurring yet widely reported deaths that result from its use. For perspective you get 1 micromort from traveling 17 miles (27 km) by foot. I've walked 8.91 miles (14.34 km) today, which comparatively would be as dangerous as taking an ecstasy pill...well probably not as it would scale differently. I wouldn't be surprised if simply attending a dance-party/rave would have a micromort rating of ~0.5, regardless of substances ingested. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micromort#Additional https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micromort#Additional

ekianjo 11y ago
These generalizations are not helpful actually. If you walk a deserted road every day it would not matter how many miles you walk every day, you should only get 0 micromort, which is not the same as walking just right next to a highway. Context is everything.
- ColinDabritz 11y ago
  I think they are helpful. Sure, they are not especially detailed or accurate, but the point of the 'micromort' is to give some broader context to the scale of the risk to aid in understanding. Much like the "banana" is a radiation unit. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana_equivalent_dose https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana_equivalent_dose The Micromort is not a very precise or accurate unit, but it does a reasonable job of communicating the broad 'order of magnitude' context. The disproportionate emotional response undermining rational thinking is directly countered by this frame of reference, which in turn addresses the disproportionate impacts of terrorism.
- icanhackit 11y ago
  These generalizations are not helpful actually. Perhaps not for walking, but for an activity like taking an ecstasy pill it is.
- grecy 11y ago
  >If you walk a deserted road every day it would not matter how many miles you walk every day, you should only get 0 micromort, which is not the same as walking just right next to a highway. People who die from walking don't only die from being hit by vehicles. There's heart attacks, dehydration, snake bites, etc. etc.

ekianjo 11y ago

These generalizations are not helpful actually. If you walk a deserted road every day it would not matter how many miles you walk every day, you should only get 0 micromort, which is not the same as walking just right next to a highway. Context is everything.

ColinDabritz 11y ago
I think they are helpful. Sure, they are not especially detailed or accurate, but the point of the 'micromort' is to give some broader context to the scale of the risk to aid in understanding. Much like the "banana" is a radiation unit. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana_equivalent_dose https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana_equivalent_dose The Micromort is not a very precise or accurate unit, but it does a reasonable job of communicating the broad 'order of magnitude' context. The disproportionate emotional response undermining rational thinking is directly countered by this frame of reference, which in turn addresses the disproportionate impacts of terrorism.
icanhackit 11y ago
These generalizations are not helpful actually. Perhaps not for walking, but for an activity like taking an ecstasy pill it is.
grecy 11y ago
>If you walk a deserted road every day it would not matter how many miles you walk every day, you should only get 0 micromort, which is not the same as walking just right next to a highway. People who die from walking don't only die from being hit by vehicles. There's heart attacks, dehydration, snake bites, etc. etc.